Strength training apparatus with flywheel and related methods

Abstract

Embodiments of a strength training apparatus and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the strength training apparatus includes a base member and a tower structure coupled with the base member. At least one arm is pivotally coupled with the tower structure. A flywheel and a cable and pulley system are associated with the at least one arm, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel. The strength training apparatus may include a selectively adjustable magnetic braking mechanism associated with a flywheel that is configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. A torque sensor may be associated with the flywheel and the measured torque during operation of the apparatus may be used to calculate the work expended in rotating the flywheel. In one embodiment, the calculated work may be expressed in units of watts.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A strength training apparatus comprising:
 a base member; 
 a tower structure coupled with the base member; 
 at least one arm pivotally coupled with the tower structure; 
 a flywheel; and 
 a cable and pulley system associated with the at least one arm, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel; 
 wherein the at least one arm includes a pair of arms and wherein the cable and pulley system includes a first pulley coupled with a first arm of the pair of arms with a first cable extending through the first pulley and a second pulley coupled with the second arm with a second cable extending through the second pulley. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a braking mechanism associated with the flywheel and configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braking mechanism includes a magnetic braking mechanism. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a torque sensor associated with the flywheel. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a console having at least one input device and at least one output device. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the console is in communication with the braking mechanism and wherein the at least one input device controls the amount of resistance applied to the flywheel by the braking mechanism. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the console is in communication with the torque sensor and wherein the at least one output device provides an indication of the amount of work expended by a user upon rotation of the flywheel. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one output device provides the indication of the amount of work expended in units of watts. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a drive mechanism associated with the flywheel. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a clutch mechanism coupled with the flywheel by way of a drive belt. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the clutch mechanism enables the rotation of the flywheel in a first rotational direction upon the displacement of the at least one cable in a first defined direction, but has no effect on the flywheel upon displacement of the at least one cable in a second defined direction, the second defined direction being the opposite of the first defined direction. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive chain coupled with the cable and pulley system, wherein the drive chain extends about a plurality of sprockets including at least one sprocket that is displaceable relative to the tower. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one biasing member coupled with the at least one displaceable sprocket. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the pair of arms are maintained in a fixed angular position relative to each other. 
     
     
       15. A strength training apparatus comprising:
 a base member; 
 a tower structure coupled with the base member; 
 a pair of arms pivotally coupled with the tower structure; 
 a flywheel configured to rotate about a defined axis; 
 a cable and pulley system including a first pulley coupled with a first arm of the pair of arms with a first cable extending through the first pulley and a second pulley coupled with the second arm with a second cable extending through the second pulley, wherein displacement of at least one cable of first cable and the second cable effects rotation of the flywheel; 
 a magnetic braking mechanism associated with the flywheel and configured to apply a selected resistance to the rotation of the flywheel; 
 a torque sensor associated with the flywheel; 
 a console in communication with the braking mechanism and the torques sensor, the console including at least one input for selecting the amount of resistance applied to the flywheel by the braking mechanism and at least one output device providing an indication of the amount of work expended by a user upon rotation of the flywheel, the amount of work being displayed in units of watts; and 
 a drive mechanism associated with the flywheel including a clutch mechanism coupled with the flywheel by way of a drive belt. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of conducting strength training, the method comprising:
 providing a strength training apparatus, wherein the strength training apparatus includes a base member, a tower structure coupled with the base member, a pair of arms pivotally coupled with the tower structure, a flywheel, and a cable and pulley system including a first pulley coupled with a first arm of the pair of arms with a first cable extending through the first pulley and a second pulley coupled with the second arm with a second cable extending through the second pulley, wherein displacement of at least one cable of the cable and pulley system effects rotation of the flywheel; 
 applying a force to the cable and displacing the cable in a first direction; 
 effecting rotation of the flywheel upon displacement of the cable; 
 applying a resistance to the flywheel; 
 measuring the torque applied to the flywheel; and 
 calculating the work performed, in watts, based at least in part on the measured torque. 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein applying resistance to the flywheel includes applying resistance using a magnetic brake. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising selectively varying the resistance applied by the magnetic brake.